BAT VR owners chime in!!!!

[cummins cowboy]

I am thinking about building the ultimate calling/long range rifle, something that is handy yet insane accuracy for long shots, I am wanting to do a 8 twist 5 contour barrel in 243ai. I am wanting to use a BAT varmint repeater action. the thing I can't decide is if I should get the built in picatinny rail or not, the pros are it adds action stiffness and a good solid base to mount a scope, the cons is it adds quite a bit of expense, weight and I am not sure how easy it is to top load shells. is the extra action stiffness that important?? also if anyone has any pictures of the bolt face I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

Not too long ago I was thinking the same thing regarding a long range varmint rifle. Pretty much convinced that the 243AI was the way to go and then I found out about this website: http://www.6mmar.com/Super_LR.html
I now own the 6mmSLR and will never regret this decision. This is the 'drop dead' 243 long ranger (IMHO). I love shooting this gun. I have shot several different bullets from the 87gr VMAX up to the 108gr BERGER BT. This thing is deadly accurate. You will love the long case neck for providing a variety of bullets you can use and different seating options.
As far as the BAT action; I am expecting delivery this week of an HR action in single shot with the builtin rail. This action is going to be used in my new 7SAUM: Another long range cartridge with that nice LONG neck.
Good luck with your decision and your build. Keep us posted.

 

[SongdogHunter]

Looks very similar to John Adams .243 BR-K
I'm very happy with it
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v648/Mntngoat/Firearms/Inventory/DSC00593.jpg


SDH

 

[Preacher]

If your looking for insane accuracy, a single shot action (from BAT of course) will more than likely fill the bill better than a repeater will...
If it's to be insanely accurate, you may not need that second shot ....
The 6 MM SLR is a flat out varmint round plus some...
No more short neck, and more trashing a barrel with the 28 degree angle....
No fireforming problems...
Just run em through the SLR die and shoot critters with em.......

 

[15Tango]

Blue Eyed Bear (and anybody else with a 6MM SLR),

Have you found the 6MM SLR to be less finicky than the .243 Win.? When I had a .243 is seemed hard to tune. Would you say barrel life has demonstrated to be better than that of a .243?

I miss having a 6MM and my 6.5 CM will need to be rebarreled next year and it's tempting to go back to a 6MM.

Wayne

 

[cummins cowboy]

I really don't want to get into a this case is better than the other case deal. I like the extra compacity of the 243ai, heck I probably would go 6-284 if I thought it would work well in a short action.

a single shot is out, I want a repeating action. for me its coming down to if the extra stiffness in the action is worth it, and if its much extra problem loading the action with that machined in base across the top.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

It has been quite a while since I parted with the old .243WIN, but, yes; The 6SLR is a breeze to tune. I never could get the .243WIN to put 3 bullets in a relatively small place. Probably just holding my mouth wrong. I would guess the most problems I had with the SLR was when shooting the BIB 108gr BT. Everything else was really simple to tune with very few shots. The 108gr Bergers are starting to get boring. Man,,, these things really shoot!!
I cannot say with authority due to length of time I have owned my 6SLR, but I am expecting the barrel life to be considerably better in the new chambering. The extra length in the neck and the .120 free-bore should really make a difference.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

I am not arguing which case is better! I was simply following up on your topic of a long range varmint gun that had INSANE ACCURACy. I just wanted to state that if that's what you're looking for you will be disappointed with the .243AI for that task. (Again, IMHO).

 

[alf]

While I don't have a VR, I did build a 338/300 Ultra on a HR action, but I went with a single shot, as fast second shot capabilities wasn't a big concern. I also went without the integral rail, as I wanted to go with a 40 MOA base instead.

So with that out of the way, for a calling/long range set-up, I'd get the integral 20 MOA base. Cost will be a wash over a quality aftermarket rail, weight will only be 3-4 ounces over an aluminum one, alignment will be perfect, and never a worry about a loose base. Topping off the magazine shouldn't be any concern, as it isn't with any other picatinny I have. The extra stiffness is just a bonus.

 

[TheBlueEyedBear]

Alf;
I love your comment, "as fast second shot capabilities wasn't a big concern."! Amen to that! Do it right the first time and don't even think about a second shot.
Barry